Gas-generating apparatus



March 1, 1927.

l H. F. SMITH GAS GENERATING APPARATUS :s sheets-sheet 1 Filed May 16. 1921 March 1, 1927. H. F. SMITH 1,619,441

GAS GENERATING APPARATUS Filed May 16, 1921 I5`Shee'c..".-Sheel 2 March 1 1927.

H. F SMITH GAS GENERATING APPARATUS Fil 16, 1921 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Mar. 1, 1927.

UNITED STATES HARRY E. SMITH, OF DAYTON, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE @AS RESEARCH COMPANY, OF.

1,619,441 PATENT OFFICE.

DAYTON, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

GAS-GENERATING APPARATUS.

Application filed May 16,

rThis invention relates to gas generation, and more particularly to apparatus for genera-ting producer gas.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide apparatus for generating gas for use in gas engines, which furnish the suction for operating the producer.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a gas generating set in which the heat in the exhaust gas from the engine is utilized in the apparatus for supplying moisture to the producer.

Another obj ect of the invention is to provide an improved method of supplying moisture to a gas generating system, and appa.-

ratus for carrying out that method. l

Another object of the invention is to provide suitable apparatus for purifying' the generated gas.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description thereof set out below when taken in connection with the accompanying drawing.

In the drawing, in which like characters of reference designate like parts throughout the several views thereof,

Fig. 1 represents, somewhat diagrammatically, a gas generating system embodying the invention, certain of the parts thereof being shown in section and certain other parts in elevation, to more clearly bring out the :features of the invention,-

F ig. 2 is a horizontal sectional view through the generator along the line 2 2 of Fig. 1;

F ig. 3 is a sectional view through the lower part of the producer or generator, along the line 3 3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. et is a sectional view through the vaporizer, alongr the line -a of Fig. 1;

F ig- 5 is a sectional view through a modified form of -vaporizer Fig. 6 is a sectional view through still another modified form of vaporizer;

Fig. 7 is a sectional view through the filter mechanism used in connection with the invention; and

Fig. 8 is a. view of another form of generating system, fundamentally similar to the system shown in Fig. 1 but haifing a different form of purifier and a different form of moisture supply apparatus.

T he gasgenerating system embodying` this invention is illustrated in connection with a gas producer, which is suction operated,

1921. seriai N'o. 469,97?.

the suction being caused by a gas engine, direct connected to the gas generator andfs'erving, to cause a. flow of air and moisture through the fuel bed withinthe generating chamber of the producer to bri-ng about the generation of gas, which gas is fed' i-nto the combustion chamber of the engine. In the form of apparatus shown, somewhat diagrammatically, in Fig. 1, the producer or generator', proper, comprises a cylindrical metallic shell l0, the upper part or zone of which comprises a fuel reservoir and the lower part, or zone, the generating chamber. The lower end of the shell l0 is closed by means of a plate 11, which is supportedin place upon bolts'` l2, the upper ends of which are supported by the ring'13, which is, in turn, rigidly attached to the shell l0, as by riveting. The lining for the generating zone is supported upon theV closure plate 11. This lining comprises a lining proper 14 which, `as shown in the drawing, consists of a plurality of fire brick. These brick may be of varying form but a preferred form is shown in the drawing, particularly Figs, 1 and 2. As shown these brick are so formed that when in place they provide a cylindrical fuel receiving chamber, or generating zone proper, designated generally' by the nu'- meral l5, the upper layer of brick being of somewhat different form, so that the upper end of the generating zone flares outwardly, or is funnel shaped, to facilitate the flow of fuel from the reservoir 16 into the; generating zone proper. a TheA brick constituting the generating zone proper, as shown best in Fig. 3, have their backs hollowed out to provide a trough shaped hollow space therein with supporting legs. The difference in construction between the brick forming the generating` zone proper and those in the funnel shaped part of the generating zone is thought obvious from the drawing. The form of brick shown is not essential, but constitutes a satisfactory type of lining. rnaterial. It is desirable, in the operation of the producer forming a part of this` invenspaces within the brick, and between the brick and the metallic shell 10, is suitable heat insulating material 20, This heat insulating material may be of any desired character, but it has been found that a mixture of the material known, commercially, as silocel, which consists primarily of kieselguhr and cement, in the proportion of four parts to one, will give very satisfactory results. But any material which is a good heat insulator will robably function satisfactorily. and greater resistance to wear, the fire brick lining might be dispensed with entirely, and the entire lining of the generating zone built up of heat insulating material.

At the bottom, adjacent the closure plate 11, the lining is cut away to form an ash Y sired.

pit designated generally 21, which at one end is in communication with the lower end of the generating zone 15, and at the other end is in communication with an opening 22 provided in the metallic shell 10, to permit access to the ash pit. As shown most clearly` in Fig. 2 a special form of fire brick 23 is used to define the ash pit opening, but another form of brick may be used if de- A supporting brick 24 is placed over theV ash pit adjacent the door to support the heat insulating material directly aboveV the ash pit.

Supported upon the brick defining the ash pit is a metallic member 25, which, as shown most clearly in Figs. 1 and 3, is adapted to receive and support the grate 2G. This grate consists of a circular metallic disc, of a suitable material, such as steel or cast iron, having openings or` passages therein, as shown in Fig. 2, to permit the passage of ashes Atherethrough into the ash pit. A handle 27 for sliding the grate into and out of position is provided. Then the grate in position it closes the lower end o f the generating zone 15 and supports the fuel bed within theY generating chamber. The construction is such, however., that the grate maintained out of thermal contact with the metallic shell 10 of the producer, the member which supports it being carried entirely by the lining and not in thermal contact with the shell. This mounting minimizes the transfer of heat from the incandescent fuel within the generating chamber through the grate to the metallic shell 10 whence it would be radiated into the atmosphere, and thus materially decreases the loss of heat from the fuel bed of the generating zone. It has been found that this decrease in heat loss has a very important bearing upon the blowing up or starting period of the producer, and also upon the operating of the producer after the blowing up or starting period has been completed;

VThe upper end of the shell 1() is closed by means of a closure plate 30 which is posiu therein as it is consumed.

Except for the greater strength,`

tioned a short distance from the end of the shell to provide a trough 3l. A fuel supply opening' 32 is provided within this closure plate through which fresh fuel is introduced into the fuel reservoir 16, whence it passes into the generating zone to replenish the fuel Surroumling the fuel supply` opening 32 is an upstanding flange 33, the upper end of which preferably extends even with or above the upper end of the shell 10. The trough 31, during operation` contains a supply of water, and the up-V standing fiange should extend sufliciently` high to permit of maintaining a suitableV supply of water in this trough. A, cover member 3ft is provided for the opening 32, which consists of an inverted cup shape member the edges of which extend downwardly into the 4water in the trough 31. which also serves to seal the opening` 32 and prevent the infiow of air into the producer, therethrough, during operation.

Leading off from thetop of the reservoir 1G is an oiftake pipe 35, a baiiiemeinber 3G depending from the closure plate 30, adjacent the opening into the offtake pipe, to prevent the fuel within thereservoir working into this pipe and clogging it. `Leading olf from the olftake pipe is a branch pipe 40. to which is attached a blower 41, preferH ably of the centrifugal type, operatedv by means of an electric motor 42, connected to any suitable source of current; A valve lf3, of any conventional construction, is inserted within, and controls. the pipe llt). The outlet of the blower 41 is connected toa vent pipe lla, a small bleed pipe openingfrom the vent pipe beyond the blower, so that long gas is being forced through the vent pipe by the blower ell some gas will alsoV escape through the bleed pipe 45. The olftake pipe is also connected to a purifier 50, a valve 51 of any desired conventional construction beingl inserted in the pipe between the valve 43 and the purifier, to conv trol connection between the purifier and the oiftake pipe. This purifier consists of `a cylindrical metallic chamber containing a layer of sawdust, shavings, or the like. The offtake pipe, as shown, opens into the puri!" lier adjacent the bottom thereof, and the out- Y let pipe 52 through which gas passes from the purifier, opens therefrom adjacent the top, so that any gas which-passes into the purifier must pass'through the sawdust or shavings therein on its way out through the` pipe i-rbaflle 53, which consists of a V shaped trough like member, supported upon the rod 5st, mounted within the puri ie between the openingr of the Votake pipe l thereinto, and the opening therefrom into the outlet pipe` the construction being such that the gas introduced into thepurier must pass around the baffle plate in order to escape. The gas is thus forced to take a circuitous path and its time of cont-act with the purifying material is increasedr so that a greater cleaning action is secured. @penings 55, provided with suitable closures 56 are provided in one end oi' the puriiier through which material may be introduced into and withdrawn from`the purifier for replenishing the cleaning material. Any other suitablev type ot' purifier may be used. One very satisfactoryk form is shown in the patent of Harry F. Smith No. 1,099,773-, issued June 9, 1914. Still another desirable form is that shown in the application of Harry F. Smith, Serial No."398,749, filed July 24, 192,0.

The outlet pipe 52 opens into a cooler 60, within which the temperature of the gas is lowered tov bring it to substantially atmosplieric temperature. Any desired type ot' cooler may be used, the form shown in the drawing consisting of five sections of standard` steam radiator, the gas being' introduced at the top of the radiator sections and withdrawn at the bottom so that a maximuni cooling effect is secured. The gas is withdrawn. through a delivery main 61, which is attached at one end to the cooler, andv at the other end to the inlet to the gas engine adapted to operate upon the generated. gas. Y

The engine is not shown in detail since the invention is applicable to any type ot gas engine adapted to operate upon pro* ducer gas. The engine, therefore, is merely shown diagrammatically, in elevation, the showing corresponding with the well-known Delco-light engine, which is illustrated and described in the patent of Charles F'. Kettering and lVilliam A. Chryst, Number 1,341,- 327dated Mar. 25, 1920.

The exhaust gases from the engine pass off through the exhaust pipe 63 which has inserted` therein a vaporizer for supplying moisture to the producer. This vaporizer consists of a body member 64 the opposite ends of which are connectedI to the cooperating ends ot the exhaust pipe 63.I A hollow cover'member 65 is provided for thisbody member, the space therein serving as a vaporizer, or flash boiler, a clean-out opening being provided in the upper wall thereotl which is normally closed by the plug'k 66. The lower wall of this hollow cover member is provided with depending ribs or flanges 67, which extend downwardly into the body member 64k where they are subjected, when in position, to the hot exhaust gases as they pass through the body member. The pur; pose of these ribs or iianges is to increase` the amount ot heat' which passes from the exhaust gas into the iiash boiler. Leading' into the flash boiler, and terminating adjacent the bottom thereof is a water supply pipe 70` the other end of which opens through the shell 10 into thel bottom of the trough; 31, alterniember 71 beingk provided to prevent the passage of impurit-iesinto the vaporizer. A valve 72 is inserted within the pipe 70 to control the iiow therethrough.

Leading oit from the flashk boiler adjacent the top thereof is a pipe 75,. which extends upwardly from the boiler such a distance that its highest point is abovel the highest levell of water within the trough 31, the pipe being in the form of an inverted U, the lower end of the pipe passing through the shell of the producer and: opening into the passage 76 which terminates within the ash pit beneath the grate. A needle valve 77 is inserted within the pipe 75 so that ver-y accurate control of the effective openingthrough the pipe may be secured.

In the operation of the device, fuel having beensupplied to the generating zone and ignited, the valve 51 is closed and the valve 43 opened, to connect the generator to the vent pipe. The blower 41 is then started, causing a blowing up of the fuel bed, the products of combustion duringthis blowing up or starting period being vented to atmosphere through the pipe 44. As these gases pass through the pipe 44 a small, quantity oi gas also escapes through the pipe 45,.and the gas which thus escapes is tested from time to time to 'see whether or not it is of sufficiently good quality to burn. As soon as the gas becomes of such good quality that it will burn, the blower isv stopped, the valve 43 closed, shutting oit connection between the producer and the vent, andthe valve 51 opened` connecting theproducer to the purifier, and so to the inlet pipe 62 oi the engine. The engine isnow. started, the suction caused by the turning over of the engine, drawing gas into the cylinder, which being combustible, will ignite to cause operation of the engine. The engine, therefore, will continue to operate andv during operation will draw gas into its cylinder, the suction at the same time causing a` iiow of air and moisture, through the fuel bed to generate As the hot exhaust gasesA pass through the vaporizer` the lower wall. of the cover member will become heated. Inasmuch as the space within the ashv pit is under suction, water will flow from the trough 31 into the flash boiler, when the valves 72 and 77 are open. As water iiows trom the pipe into the vaporizer itwill be changed into steam which will tend. to pass off through the pipe to the ash pit ot the producer, and also to backup within the pipe 70. By making the highest point in the pipe 75 above the highest level of water within the trough 31 the .tiow of water into the vaporizer can be readily cont-rolled, for the valve 77 is so positioned as to per#v mit the desired quantity of steam` topass therethrough into4 the ash pit. There being a restricted opening at the valve 77y the presisure "ot the steam within the vaporizer will build up, and the device will function automatically to control the quantity of moisn ture fed thereto, and thus control the quantity of steam. As the pressure of the steam ybuilds up it will'tend to bach the water up the pipe 70. The amount o'fl water which flows through the pipe is thus automatically controlled and, therefore. the amount of moisture which is fed to the generator.

In Fig. 5 shown a slightly modified 'form oi' vaporizer. In this vaporizer the body member Geland lower wall of the cover G5, with its ribs or flanges, are made integral, the/resultingV member l'ieing designated by the numeral 78. The ribs thus become the separators or partitions 79 which divide the member 7 8 into a plurality of passages through which the exhaust gases pass on their way through the vaporizer. The member 78 is provided with a depression in the top thereoil which serves to receive the water to be vaporized, a fiat top or cover 8,() being provided which corresi'ionds to the up per wall of the cover member (35. through the cover 80 is'the pipe 79 through which moisture is supplied and also'the pipe 7.5 through which the vapor generated within the vaporizing space proper, 8l, passes to the `generating chamber oi' the producer. A drain passage 82 controlled by the plug` 83 is vprovided for cleaning out the vaporizer space 8l. The operation of this form of vaporizer is substantially identical with that described above.

In Fig. G is shown -inodiied form of vaporizer in which the cover member Set has two passages 85 and 86 therein adapted respectively for attachment to the opposite ends of the sections of exhaust pipe, each ot these passages opening through the lower face ot' the cover member. Cooperating with th-e lower face of the cover member is a hollow cup shaped member S7, the interior ot which is connected to the ends oit the passages 85 and 86 which open through the lower face of the cover member `84. This member 87 is preferably composed of some metal which is a goed conductor oi heat, such as aluminum. The member S7 is rigidly attached to the cover member Sal. by means of a bolt 8S threaded into the member 87, the cover memberSf and member 87 being pulled tiffhtly together by means ot the nut 89 upon the bolt S8 which nut cooperates with the upper surface of the member 84. Surrounding the cup shaped meniber 87 and spaced therefrom is a similar cup shaped member 90, the upper edge of which, when in assembled position, contacts with the lower face of the flange 91, carried by the member 87, the upperfac-e of which flange cooperates, when the device is assembled, with a corresponding surface oit the lower tace of the cover member Se, suit- Opening able packing being interposed betweenthe contacting faces to malte tight joints. The members 87 and 90 are held in properly assembled position by means of a hollow bolt 92, th-e innerend of `which is threadedly engaged withinthe member 87, a nut 93lbeing threaded upon this `hollow bolt, and coacting with the lower tace of theinember 9() to hold the two in tightly assembled positioni The member 99, where the bolt 92 passes ther-etlnjough, is provided with a stufiing box 9a adapted to contain any suitable packing material 95, the packing gland 9G cooperatin g therewith, and with the nut 93 so that upon tightening the nut to hold the members in assembled position, the packing will at the same time be properly compressed to prevent the escape of moisture therethrough. rlhe hollow bolt 93 is att-ached at its outside end to the pipe 97 which leads to a suitable source ot moisture supply, as for instance the trough 31. Radial passages 98, are provided in the bolt 92 for connecting the passage in such bolt to the space between the mel'nbers 97 and 90, waterthus being ted lrom the pipe 97 into this space. Leading off from the space between `the two members 87 and 90, at the top thereot,`is a vapour supply pipe 99, through which the vapor generated from the water within the space betweenthe two members S7 and v90 is led to the generating zone of the producer.

In Fig. 7 is shown the type of filter mechanism used. This consists of two members 150 and 151 which are threaded together, a layer ot filter material 152, which may be ot' any desired character, being held between them. This type of filtering `mechanism may be dispensed with desired and any other satisfactory type of filtering mechanisni substituted therefor.r

In Fig. 8 is shown a slightly modified form of the invention in which a different 'form of moisture supply apparatus and a different form of purifier is provided. The producer used in the modification shown in this figureis identical with that shown and described above in connectionwith Fig. `1. rIhe producer, Jfor purposes of description, being designated by the numeral 100. i The gas generated within the producer is led ofi' therefrom through the off'talie pipe 35., the same form of blower al being connected toJ the offtalre pipe amL delivering into thel vent pipe 41A', as described above. In the modification shown herein the cooler 60 is dispensed with, the gas being led directly into a purifier and thence to theintake of the gas engine. lVhile the cooler GO is desirable under some conditions, it may often be dispensed with without in any way affecting adversely the character of the gas as delivered to the gas engine, sufiicient cooling action taking place as the gas passes through the delivery pipe, and the purifier,

Cil

to the gas engine. They gas fromthe o'fftake 35 passes into the purifier', which, in the modification shown consists of a vertical cylindrical metallic shell 105 having a cover 106, provided with a groove 10T within which the upper edge of the cylindrical shell 105 is disposed when the cover is in place, suitable packing material, of any desired character', being provided within the groove to make a tight joint. A plurality of clamping bolts 103, rigidly attached to the shell 105, 'and adapted to project upwardly lthrough corresponding' passages within the cover 106 are provided for clamping the cover in place. Each of these bolts has its upper end threaded `and a nut 109 cooperating therewith by means of which the cover plate is clamped tightly in place. Rigidly secured vlto and depending from the lower' face of the cover 106 is a cylindrical sleeve 110, preferably of some suitable metal, such as steel, which is of smaller diameter` than the internal diameter of the cylindrical shell 105, and 'extends downwardly into the shell 105, terminating la short distance from the lower end thereof, and is of such dimensions as to provide a considerable space between the two shells 105 and 110. The ofi'take lpipe. 35 opens through the top 105 in such wise that the gas passing into the purifier is introduced into the space within the depending flange or shell 110. `Supported from the top 106 is a cup shaped pla-te 115, to which is secured the upper end of a sleeve of filtering material 116, the lower end of this sleeve 116 rbeing secured within the constricted lower end of the shell 110. This sleeve preferably consists of a fibrous or textile material such as vburlap or some other good filter material. The upper end of this sleeve is secured to ythe member 115 by means of spring clips 117, the lower end being correspondingly secured with the constricted lower end of the shell 110 by means of the clips 11S. This construction is such that the gas introduced into the shell 110 through the offtake pipe '35 must pass through the sleeve 116 of filtering material on its way to the delivery pipe 52, which opens from the space between the shell 110 and the shell 105. As the gas passes through the sleeve 116 the impurities are removed therefrom, the gas as delivered to the intake of the engine 63 being thus substantially free from impurities and suit able for satisfactory operation of the engine.

Any type of purifier may be substituted in Vlieu of those shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 8 these two forms being merely modifications which have functioned satisfactorily in use. As stated above each of these two types of purifiers is primarily designed for use with a gas generated from charcoal, coke, anthracite coal, and `the like, which give a gas containing small quantities of tar and similar impurities. If bituminous coal, or analogous fuel, were used in the producer apurifier adapted toV handle, satisfactorily, the larger quantities fof tar whichare present in gas generated from such a 'fuel should be substituted in place of the purifier described.

The moisture control apparatus shown in Fig. 8 is adapted to give accurate control. The vaporizer proper 'is inserted within the exhaust pipe 63, and consists of a body member 119 similar in construction vto the member shown in Fig. 1. This :body member is provided with a vaporizer or boiler 120, which also serves as a'cover member therefor, being held in place 'by means-of suitable bolts 121. The boiler '120 is in turn provided with a cover' 122 held K'in vposition on the Vboiler by means of suitable bolts 123. Openinginto the boiler, through 'the top 122 thereof is a water supply pipe 125, :a plural- -ity of shelves or trays 126 'being suspended within the boiler, beneath the opening in the end ofthis pipe, so thatany water fed therethrough into lthe boiler will spread outover the trays 126, passing from tray to tray throughV the perforations 127 therein, finally dripping onto the lower Wall of the boiler 120 where it will be vaporized. The trays or shelves 126 serve to collect any lime or'other substances that may be in solution in the water, such yimpur-ities being-'thrown down on the trays as the water trickles over them, and the incrustation of the lower wall of the boiler 120 being thus largely prevented. From time to time the top 122 can beremoved, the trays 126 'taken out of theboi-ler and cleaned. Leading' off from the boiler 120 adjacent the top thereof is the vapor supply pipe 7 5 through which the steam generated in the boiler lpasses to the ash pit of the producer.

The pipe 125 opens, at its other end, 'into a trough or vessel 130 to which water is supplied from the 'trough 31" of the producer. The filter member 71 is attached to that end of a pipe 131 which is within the trough 31, the opposite end of the pipe 131 opening into the U shaped pipe 132. One end 133 of the U shaped pipe 1532 opens into the exhaust pipe l63, the other end 1134 terminating above the trough 130. As the engine operates the impulses within the exhaust pipe 63 will pump water from the trough 31 and Vdeliver it through theend 134 of the U shaped pipe 132 into the trough or vessel 130. The trough 130 is ydivided by means of the partition 135 into two main compartments 136 and 137, the lend 134 of the pipe 132 being so positioned as to deliver water into the compartment 136, an overflow 133 being' provided to prevent the level of water within the compartment 136 rising too high. The compartment 137 is also divided by means of the partition 14,0 into two smaller compartments141 and 142, the pipe 125 opening into the compartment 142, through the bottom thereof. A passage 145 connects the compartment 136 to the compartment 141 and permits the flow of Water from the compartment 136 into the compartment 141. The partition 140 controls the level of the Water within the compartment 141, this partition being of such height that its upper level is below the overHow orifice 138. The level of the water within the compartment 141 is thus maintained constant, a definite differential being thus established between kthe level of the. water in the com partment 141 and the level of the water in the compartment 136. A definite head therefore exists which causes the Water to overHow the partition 140 at a rate which is constant and dependant upon this head. The Water `which overflows the partition 140 passes into the compartment 142 and thence through the pipe 125 into the boiler 120.

As the system shown in Fig. 8 operates the exhaust impulses within the pipe 63 acting upon the water within the U tube 132 pump that Water into the compartment 136. The apparatus is so constructed that during operation enough water will be pumped to provide sufficient moisture for the producer. lVhile the method herein described, and the forms of apparatus for carrying this method into effect, constitute preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be understoodthatthe invention is not limited to thisprecise method and forms of apparatus, and that changes `may be made in either Without departing from the scope of the invention which is deHned in the appended claims. p

1 Vhat is claimed is: 1'. A gas generating system comprising in combination, a producer; a gas engine connected thereto and adapted during operation. to furnish the suction for causing operation of the producer; and a flash boiler vaporizer associated with the exhaust of the engine, said vaporizer being connected to t-he air' supply of the producer to supply moisture thereto during operation and means forzfeeding water to said boiler at a rate proportionate to the rate of gas generation. 2. A gas generating system comprising in combination, a producer, having a Water reservoir carried thereby and so positioned that the Water in said reservoir will receive heat from the gas generated within the producer; a gas engine connected to the producer and adapted to operate upon the gas generated therein, and to furnish the suction for operating said producer, a flash boiler associated with the exhaust of' said engine, a 4water supply `pipe connecting the interior of said Hash boiler to the water reservoir, and a vapor supply pipe connecting the interior of the Hash boiler to the air supply of the produceiyland means for controlling the feeding of Water from the reservoir to the boiler in accordance `with the rate of gas generation.

3. A gas generating system comprising in combination, a producer, having a Water reservoir carried thereby and so positioned that the water in said reservoir will receive heat from Within the producer during operation thereof; a gas engine connected to the producer and adapted to operate upon the gas generated therein, and to furnish the suction for operating said producer; a Hash boiler associated With the exhaust of said engine, a Water supply pipe through which water from said reservoir passes into the interior of said flash boiler, and a vapor supply pipe connecting the interior of the Hash boiler to the air supply of the producer, the construction being such that the amount of water fed to the Hash boiler is automati- `cally controlled in accordance with the amount of air drawn in through said air supply by the suction of the engine.

4. A gas generating system comprising in combination a producer, having a` water reservoir carried thereby and so positioned that the water in said reservoir will be heated during operation of the producer; a gas engine connected to the producer and adapted during operation to cause suction for operating said producer; a Hash boiler associated with the exhaust of said engine, a Water supply pipe through which water from said reservoir is fed into the flash boiler, a vapor supply pipe connecting the interior of the flash boiler With the interior of the producer, and means for automathV for operating the producer; a flash boiler associated with the exhaust of the engine, a water supply pipe through which water from said reservoir is fed into the Hash boiler, automatic means for controlling the rate of transfer of Water from the reservoir to the Hash boiler to insure a uniform, predetermined rate of supply of water t0 the Hash boiler, and a pipe connecting lthe Hash boiler to the interior of the producer for leading the generated vapor into the air suppl for the producer. 4 l

6. gas generating system `comprising in combination, a reducer; a gas engine re-` ceiving gas for its operation from the pro-V ducer; a vaporizer associated with the exhaust of said engine; a constant le'vel tank connected to said vaporizer; and means for supplying water to said tank to maintain the level of the water therein during operation of the producer constant, said meansv including an impulse pump operated by the impulses within the exhaust pipe of the engine.

7. A gas generating system comprising in combination, a producer; a gas engine receiving gas for its operation from the producer; a vaporizer associated with, and positioned to receive heat from, the exhaust of said engine, a vapor supply pipe connecting the vaporizer to the air supply of said producer; a water receiving tank, a pipe connecting said tank to the vaporizer for feeding water therefrom into the vaporizer; means for supplying water to said tank comprising a U tube having one end connected to the interior of the engine exhaust pipe, the other end positioned to discharge into the said tank and means connecting the said U tube, intermediate its length, to a source of water supply, the construction being such that water will be urged from the U tube into the tank under the action of the pressure impulses Within the exhaust pipe, and means within the tank for maintaining uni-form the rate of supply of water passing therefrom into the vaporizer.

8. In a gas generating system, the combination with a producer and a gas engine receiving gas for its operation from the producer; of a vaporizer associated with and positioned to receive heat from the exhaust of said engine, a vapor supply pipe connecting the vaporizer to the air supply of the producer; a. water receiving tank, a main partition, having a constant orifice therein, dividing the tank into two main compartments, an overflow orifice from one of' said compartments, a. second partition dividing the other compartment into two smaller compartments, said second partition terminating below the level of the said overflow orifice, means for supplying water to said first compartment at a rate in excess of' the rate of flow of water through the orifice in the main partition in the second compartment, and a pipe connecting the vaporizer with that one of the two said smaller compartments into which the said consta-nt orifice does not open.

9. In a gas generating system, the combination with a producer and a gas engine receiving gas for its operation from the producer; of a vaporizer associated with and positionedto receive heat from the exhaust of said engine, a vapor supply pipe connect ing the vaporizer to the air supply of the producer; a water receiving tank, a main partition, having a constant orifice therein, dividing the tank into two main compartments, an overflow orifice for one of said compartments, a second partition dividing the other compartment into two smaller compartments, said second terminatingbelow the level of the said overflow orifice, an impulse pump operated by pressure impulses vvithin the exhaust of the gas engine for supplying water to said first compartment at a rate faster than the rate of flow of `water through the orifice in the main compartment into the second compartment, and a pipe connecting the vaporizer with that one of the two said smaller compartments into which the said constant orifice does not open.

l0. A gas generating system comprising in combination a gas producer, a gas engine receiving gas for its operation from said producer; and a vaporizer ycomprising al flash boiler associated with and positioned to receive heat from the exhaust of said engine, a water inlet for said vaporizer, means for supplying Water to said vaporizer therethrough at a controlled rate, an outlet for the vapor generated from said water connected to the air supply of the producer, and al plurality of' perforated trays positioned beneath the water inlet.

ll. A gas generating system comprising, in combination, a producer; a gas engine receiving gas for its operation from the producer; a vaporizer associated with the exhaustcf said engine; and means Jfor supplying Water to said vaporizer including an impulse pump operated by the impulses within the exhaust pipe of the engine.

In testimony whereof I hereto aiiix my signature.

HARRY F. SMITH. 

